Nikolic accused of threatening chief steward

Leading jockey Danny Nikolic has been stood down indefinitely after an exchange with a steward at the Seymour races.

Racing Victoria says Nikolic was stood down for allegedly making threatening comments to chairman of stewards Terry Bailey after race six.

Nikolic has denied threatening Bailey.

The jockey said that as he was riding to the barriers and the chief steward was crossing the track, he said: "Keep your eyes on the road, Terry."

Nikolic said the comment was a reference to a television ad and that no threat was intended.

Later, the two had an exchange after which the steward ordered Nikolic to go home.

Racing Victoria says it has opened an investigation.

Upon learning of Nikolic being sent home, other jockeys resolved not to fulfil the remainder of their mounts but were dissuaded by the jockey's association.

Nikolic headed to back to Melbourne but was unsuccessful in getting an audience with Racing Victoria officials.

His immediate future is under a cloud as he was set to ride Cox Plate candidate Mosheen when she resumes in the Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington on Saturday.

The jockey has indicated that if it looked as if he would miss the ride on Mosheen, he would seek a court injunction to have the ban lifted.

Bailey and Nikolic have had a history of run-ins in recent years.

Meanwhile, The Age and Four Corners revealed last month that Nikolic, at least one other leading jockey, a former trainer and several other well-known racing identities across Australia were under investigation for allegedly conspiring to fix the outcome of a race last year.